Woodbridge Res 2, Ipswich Wanderers Res 2.

Ridgeons Reserve League

Saturday 14th January 2006

Relegated to Woodbridge’s second pitch, this game produced grim fayre that would not have been worthy of the main stadium anyway.

Wanderers starting 11 was unchanged from the previous week’s 5-0 win, with every player starting in the same position. However, all similarity to the previous week ended there as the visitors struggled to get started in the game and were grateful to some good defending by Paul Clow to prevent Woodbridge breaking through on several occasions. David Kenyon made several good tackles and interceptions up front but was crowded out on each occasion. Neil Hayward broke through twice but was unable to really trouble the home keeper. Several corners and free kicks came to nothing and Wanderers were made to pay when a combination of defensive errors gave the home team a tap-in just before half time..

Half-time : Woodbridge 1, Wanderers 0.

The second half started controversially, with the Wanderers team stopping play after a foul waiting for the ref to speak to a player only for the home side to run straight up the other end and score to take a 2-0 lead. Things had now gone a bit flat for the visitors and Mark Powling replaced Ricky Ward and Matt Wilson soon joined the fray in place of Tommy Youngs. Wanderers created a few half-chances but were not getting the breaks in the box. The last throw of the dice saw Ryan ‘the fox’ Owens come on in place of Neil Hayward as the team went 3 up front. The rewards were instant as Ryan Owens scored via both posts from close in. With their heads up Wanderers poured forward looking for the equaliser and with minutes to go, Sam Knibbs made a fine run down the wing which ended with a foul on the edge of the box. Paul Clow floated the free-kick in and Blaine Burgess looped a header over the keeper for a deserved equaliser.

However, on the day, too many players under-performed and did not do themselves credit. Man of the match was easy – Paul ’Bodyshop’ Clow – not even a doubt in most people’s eyes.